A hell of a day – that’s what today was.
My entire social bubble was expecting the sentence of PSD leader Liviu Dragnea (also president of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies) as he was tried for instigating abuse of office and intellectual incitement as president of the Council County Teleorman. It was for the second time that the Supreme Court had postponed the pronouncement in this particular file, and frankly, we were quite nervous waiting for any news.

More context: The file was sent to the court by the DNA (National Anticorruption Directorate) in July 2016, and the trial started in January 2017, about the same time the leading party in the Parliament started messing with the justice laws to relax them. This led to massive protests in Romania in February 2017.

The sentence was published a few minutes ago: 3 years and a half in jail.
Now let’s celebrate the trust in Justice that has not yet been lost.

21.06.2018

Keep a dampened smile, though. It’s surely not over yet. The sentence can be appealed.

Here’s to this absolutely AMAZING purple shade of this year, the one and only: Pantone Ultra Violet (18-3838). Finally! My personal colour obsession will blend in with popular culture.

I know it’s been a while, but boy has it been tough this year?! 2017, I am so glad you’re gone and done. You’ve been bringing me so much pain, I just had to learn to let go. I am thankful for what I’ve gone through, though. It takes a lot of strength and energy to come out of that pit dark low.
I want to thank all of my friends and dear ones for never leaving me behind in all of this mess. For staying there, for taking me out, for having a coffee with me, for hearing me out, for simply … being there.

Hope you had wonderful Winter Holidays and quality time with your dear ones. And if not, cheer up, 2018 will be awesome. I know it. Ollie knows it also.

It was so hot this year, the temperatures rising to about 35 degrees Celsius, but that never stopped the people from joining in a record number of 2 500. Bucharest Pride had it all, you name it: music, rainbows, balloons, happy faces, glitter, love signs and banners, young and elder together, solidarity, it was really something beautiful! Amazingly good energy!

Nana

The breakthrough of this year wasAndreea Balan, a young pop star whose songs I basically grew up with, that decided to SHOW UP and SUPPORT the movement. You may not understand how powerful that is, but let me put it brief: in the conservative orthodox influenced culture of Romania this has never happened before. Ever. No artist has ever endorsed the event, none has recognized their diverse public or stood up to fight for equal rights for them. Many were escaping to face the crowds of the ‘other Romania’, the ones who consider the parade to be one of ‘sickness’.

Andreea Balan and her two dancers after a cheerful speech.

But Andreea? Andreea is an amazing human being who decided to use her fame to do good. Her act is a stepping stone in the direction of enabling the LGBT community to speak up and demand equal rights. More than that, she has posted a wonderful message on her Facebook and she is constantly responding to all people out there who are trying to set things ‘straight’. Her follow up comments are disarming with kindness, understanding and sharing of LOVE. She reinforced the idea that all humans should be entitled to having a family and that to love and be loved should be accessible to all. Her gesture should be seen as an example to all other artists and public persons of Romania.
Andreea, chapeau!

Ovidiu Buta, Molecule F, Frank Paul, Carla Antonelli, Joaquin Bonilla

Other important names that joined the parade this year: Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office, Carla Antonelli, a noted LGBT rights activist and politician who maintains a large support website for transgender and transsexual people, also the first trans person to serve in a legislature in Spain (she had such a powerful speech and sent a lot of energy to the crowd), Great Britain’s ambassador to Romania, Paul Brummell, Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy of US to Bucharest, Dean Thompson, and last but not least, our very own Minister for Public Consultation and Civic Dialogue, Violeta Alexandru.

Happy to see so many people attending the event. Happy to share the joy with so many open-minded countrymen and friends. Happy, happy, happy.

I can only wish that things will only get better from now on. Last year I saw the Stockholm Pride in late July and it made me realize how much further we have to walk, so keep it up! I feel we have reached a breaking point on Saturday. Everything was perfectly organized, we all had been given water, the street was full of people, the police supervised from every few meters, the music was energetic and fun, we had a blast!

Peace. Love wins.

A big round of applause for the organizers ( ACCEPT, MozaiQ, PSI Romania) and everybody involved! Let’s meet again next year. The more the merrier! After all, who doesn’t want to celebrate love?

Let me just quickly inform you about the buzz around town these days, Bucharest City App, the free mobile app that becomes your friendly advisor when around this eastern-european city. Whether you are a tourist or a local, this app can help you with moving around the city.

I mean, better than information booths for tourists ( where exactly are those, anyhow?), with an online connection and a free install for your IOS or Android smart device, you get to answer all those petty questions when in Bucharest: What are the main attractions? Where is the Palace of the Parliament? Where should I eat? Where is the nearest pharmacy? What is going on tonight at the Opera? Where can I get the tickets for that film? 🙂

Most important categories you will find in the app:

events & parties

cinemas & movies

concerts

restaurants

clubs & pubs

coffee places

Bucharest attractions

medical services

different thematic routes in Bucharest

transport & travel: subway map, night and airport buses, taxis

shops

photo of the day

offers and promotions

playgrounds

spa and beauty

recommendations: handpicked events, traditional food, #EnjoyBucharest

Bucharest City App is an Eventur Group initiative. Alex Filip and Dragos Asaftei, together with their team of other 17 talented people are to congratulate for putting Bucharest on the map of up to date European capitals! Great work, guys! Keep up the wonderful initiatives, we stand by you. 🙂

I like tattoos, but on other people. I am not sure if the next day I’d still be happy with my decision of making a dragonfly on my ankle, let’s say. Temporary tatoos? Well, that’s something I can definitely deal with for a few days. Flash Tattoos Romania – presented me the occasion of adding jewellery on my body in a very elegant way. As nervous as I was at first looking at all those golden shines, it all went very well! The results came perfectly synchronized with my 26th birthday as well. Thank you so much for such a lovely time! Here are the photos 🙂